Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.
Serving Healthcare Since 1949
*** General Membership Meeting***
Minutes to the Meeting of
September 21, 2006
President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, called the meeting to order on Thursday, September 21, 2006, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey, commencing at 6:00p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. All in attendance made self-introductions.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
SPONSOR
The sponsors for this eveningÕs event are MDCC & Spirax/Sarco.
EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC
Mr. Glen Hahn of Spirax/Sarco presented the educational session. His presentation was about Steam Utilization in Healthcare Institutions.
DINNER BREAK AT 7:15 P.M.
PRESIDENTÕS REPORT
Thanks to all our members that supported the all day field trip to Chubb Insurance in August, as well as the all day Educational Seminar in September, at the Galloping Hill.
Anyone wishing to submit By-Law changes is encouraged to contact any officer or committee chair.
At the annual ASHE conference, our chapter was awarded the Gold Level of Affiliation for the 16th consecutive year. Oscar Gonzales, CHFM and John DiGirolomo, CHFM were awarded their SASHE designation. John DiGirolomo, SASHE, CHFM was a co-presenter on Emergency Department design as it relates to Emergency Preparedness.
Elections for 2007 Officers are being deferred to the November meeting. Anyone wishing to run for office should contact Oscar Gonzales, SASHE, CHFM or Joe Berlesky, CHFM, Past Presidents.
The winner of the $100 Membership Survey is Joe Glaski of Bergen Regional Medical Center. Joe donated his prize back to the Society.
The Holiday Party will be on December 8th at the Galloping Hill. The cost is $75/couple.
PRESIDENT-ELECTÕS REPORT
The President-Elect was not in attendance.
SECRETARYÕS REPORT
The Secretary was not in attendance.
TREASURERÕS REPORT
Bill Anderson advised that we are solvent with a bank balance of $65,610.07.
EDUCATION AND EVENTS CALENDAR
Mr. David Uhaze of the State DCA will be our speaker at the October meeting.
ADVOCACY
Fire Alarm System Testing
In June we sent the NJ DOHSS an advocacy letter requesting the DOHSS consider revising their regulations on system testing to those of NFPA 72, National Alarm Code. To date we have not had a response. A follow up letter will be prepared requesting action by the Department.
Emergency Generator Testing
The Joint Commission on September 6, 2006 issued a Sentinel Event Alert on emergency electrical failures. This issue was one we took an advocacy position on earlier this year and new testing frequency and conditions have been mandated.
Electronic Statement of Conditions
The new electronic Statement of Conditions is required to be used as of Jan. 1, 2007. There are several issues that require refinement in the preparation of the document. Members were urged to contact George Mills, Senior Engineer, Standards Interpretation Group, JCAHO at (630) 792-5900 to request a postponement in implementation date. The Chapter would also send a letter to George.
There was also discussion by members on a user interface to import facility PFI information into the electronic SOC. After some discussion, it was determined that we would not take an advocacy position on this issue.
Note: A few days after our September meeting, JCAHO issued the following statement:
In response to these concerns, the Joint Commission is working on an interface to assist the user in their conversion of those items remaining in their current electronic format to the Joint Commission eSOC, and create a solution to the security issue. In light of these concerns, and the time needed to effect these changes, the Joint Commission has extended the compliance date to convert from paper or in-house electronic format to the eSOC to July 1, 2007.
As a result, we did not issue a request for postponement.
Emergency Generator Fuel Supply
A memberÕs facility was cited by CMS for inadequate reliability of emergency fuel supply. The facility has several pipeline natural gas fired units. Dale Woodin has requested information of instances where this has occurred so he may take action to eliminate these unwarranted citations.
ASHE
Please remember to keep your membership up to date. Take a moment to visit the ASHE website.. it keeps you current with all the current healthcare news. www.ashe.org
MEMBERSHIP
This years All Day seminar brought some new faces to our group. For their attendance the following people were given a one year membership to the organization.
Mr. Andrew Horohoe; Saint Barnabas, Tamara Monaco; Chilton Hospital and Mr. Brian Jenkowski; Saint Barnabas.
WEBSITE
We are constantly expanding the web site to provide up to date information about all the up and coming events for the society. The site is user friendly and also contains links to different points of interest. If you have any items or documents you would like to share with the group please send them to Oscar Gonzalez CHFM for consideration.
LEVELS OF AFFILIATION
No report required at this time.
EAB
There was no EAB meeting or report.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Frank Keller announced that the next Bridges run will be in October to NYC. The society will participate in the Toys for Tots program, so bring unwrapped toys to the Holiday Party.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEE
No updates to report at this time.
DOH UPDATES
No updates to report at this time.
JCAHO UPDATES
No updates to report at this time.
EVENTS
The annual Holiday Party will be held on December 8th 2006 and will feature The Liverpool Beat. Please look for the flyers or visit the web site @www.hfmsnj.org
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to report.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to report.
GOOD OF THE ORDER
Tony Sturla sent a thank you card to all the members for the good wishes sent to him during his recent illness. We are happy to report he is feeling fine.
It is with sadness we announce the death of Jim CorueilÕs dad. We extend our condolence to the entire Corueil Family.
If anyone is interested, there is a job posting on our website for a position in Westchester County.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:45 P.M.